Accessibility of Building and Programs
To conduct an accessibility audit of your own congregation and create a page that reflects your level of accessibility visit the UUA’s EqUUal Access Congregational Accessibility Projects page.
Ushers/Greeters
Radical Hospitality is best served by volunteers! And all of us, all members, are a part of the Welcoming Team!
During Services
At the beginning of service, on camera speakers usually give visual descriptions for people with low vision. We also have a number of congregants who attend worship from the hall outside the sanctuary (since we have speakers that play sound from worship out there) in order to address their own sensory needs. In addition, we have people who bring their own knitting for both calm perseveration and fellowship.
We also have a number of congregants who attend worship from the hall outside the sanctuary (since we have speakers that play sound from worship out there) in order to address their own sensory needs.
A Lay Pastoral Care Associate will be available in the small conference room every Sunday after service for anyone who wishes just to chat and have a listening ear.
Health and Safety Information
At First Unitarian Universalist of Richmond, the health and safety of every member of our community is important. Our programming occurs both in-person and virtually to accommodate your comfort level. Masks are optional during Sunday services and meetings or events in the building.
Join us for worship over YouTube every Sunday. Sign up for our newsletter, for information about our other programming.
First UU Congregational Accessibility Project
Do you want to improve the church’s accessibility for people with disabilities?
3rd Wednesday of the month at 7 – 8:00 pm online Zoom only
Come join the Congregational Accessibility Project! We are using resources from EqUUal Access, an UUA disability affinity group, to evaluate our accessibility and create suggestions to increase accessibility and inclusion. Our next meeting is (usually) on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6 pm. Read more about our radical hospitality inside and outside the building. If there are any general building, program or service accessibility concerns or questions, please email accessibility@richmonduu.org.
Reporting of General Questions or Accessibility Concerns
We welcome and affirm people of all abilities. We have taken the following steps to assure that no one is excluded for full participation in the life of our church. If there are any general building, program or service accessibility concerns or questions, please email accessibility@richmonduu.org.
Mobility
Our sanctuary, fellowship hall and religious education classrooms are fully accessible to those using wheelchairs or having limited mobility. We do have storage rooms in the church basement that can only be reached by stairs and the restroom in the church office is not accessible.
The bathrooms in the President’s Hall DO NOT have automatic doors. Automatic doors are functional in accessible bathrooms in the middle, or mezzanine, level of the building.
If there are any general building, program or service accessibility questions/concerns, please email accessibility@richmonduu.org.
Hearing
Many of our in-person Sunday morning attendees have hearing aids and hearing difficulties. Many hearing aid users connect into our hearing loop in the building. We have wire loop technology connected to our PA system. We also have several RX-20 Loop Listener devices for temporary use, located next to our A/V booth.
During all church meeting and workshops, anyone wishing to speak from the audience is strongly encouraged to use the portable microphones so those who are hard of hearing are not excluded. If there are any general building, program or service accessibility questions/concerns, please email accessibility@richmonduu.org.
Chemical Sensitivity
We use odorless candles and we have a well ventilated fragrance-free zone where those with sensitivities are invited to sit and those who are adorned with perfume or tobacco smoke are encouraged to avoid.
Special Needs Children
If you want your child to participate in the religious education program and feel that they may require special accommodation due to learning disabilities or behavioral issues, please contact the Director of Religious Education in advance so the best possible arrangements can be made.
Pastoral Care
We provide pastoral care to all members regardless of ability. To build the beloved community, the volunteers on the care team receive special training to assist those who may feel unwelcome, patronized or marginalized because of their disability. They may not be able to fully remedy every situation, but they can provide a compassionate ear and a willingness to enlist the help of others. If you have a hidden disability that you think it’s important for someone to know, please contact a member of the pastoral care team or contact the minister to share your information in confidence.
Service Animals
We have grassy areas where service animals may relieve themselves. If you have any questions not answered or concerns not addressed, please contact the church office about accessibility to seek further information.